NEW YEAR
The International Edition will not be appearing tomorrow, Friday, as it is New Year's Day. We will nevertheless update the current breaking story on the shooting at the Sello shopping mall in Espoo during the course of Thursday as more information comes in.
New Year's Day will be a public holiday, with repercussions in the form of closed shops and banks and reduced services in public transport. It would be wise to check beforehand if you need to travel on Friday.
This year also brings new byelaws on the use of fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Many areas of Helsinki and the surrounding cities are off-limits to the setting off of fireworks and rockets, including the downtown area of Helsinki from Kamppi to the Market Square and the Senate Square.
New regulations also prohibit the buying, possession, and setting off of fireworks by those under the age of 18, and the period when fireworks can be set off has been reduced from 18:00 on New Year's Eve to 02:00 on New Year's Day.
Please do bear in mind that alcohol and fireworks do not make for a good combination, and also that the weather forecasters are suggesting tonight will be a cold one, so wrap up warm if you are heading out.
A very Happy and Peaceful New Year to one and all.
Helsingin Sanomat
NEW YEAR